Selby, Tom and Martha (Parke)
The photo above is Thomas Tresham Selby, date unknown.
Below is an excerpt of the write-up on my great-great-grandparents Thomas Tresham Selby and Martha Parke excerpted from the R.M. of Ellice Centennial Book printed in 1983, p. 473-474.
Selby, Tom and Martha (Parke)
Thomas Tresham was born Dec. 10, 1854 at Peterborough, England.
Tom and brother Gerrard, immigrated to Canada in 1882. They travelled via rail to Brandon, Man. He was told at Brandon land office there was good farm land at McAuley and that section 6-15-28 should be good. Tom and a chap by the name of “Leather”, walked from Brandon to Fort Ellice via Rapid City, Shoal Lake and Birtle, arriving the night of May 8. His destination was section 6-15-18 which is now the Alfred Smart farm. Tom went back to Brandon and purchased oxen and supplies; returning to his homestead, the time travelling on the south side of the Assiniboine River. His brother, Gerrard, died at Brandon the following year, at the age of 22. Tom’s first crop froze and that winter 1882-1883, he went to Hull, Quebec and worked at the Eddy Match factory, returning to Fort Ellice area in the spring.
In the spring of 1885, he joined the Boulton Scouts under Major Middleton. His regimental No. was 44. He had the rank of Corporal, and supplied his own horse. The pay was 85₵ per day. Tom rode as a dispatch rider and also as Chief Scout. He was present at the surrender of Louis Riel.
Inserted picture and description from the RM of Ellice Centennial Book, p66. The description above contain some errors as the surrender occurred in 1885 rather than 1886 as noted. Also the man identified as Louis Riel appears to be incorrect. The image key held by Library & Archives Canada identifies him as Peter Hourie, Interpreter.
He married Martha Parke at her father’s home on the sand plains (later named Parke Plains) on her birthday March 21, 1888. Martha was born March 21, 1865 at Leeds, Quebec. They spent their first year on the Doc. Harris farm North East of Moosomin, N.W.T. (Later the Welwyn District). This farm was last lived on by Arnold Parker.
Their first child was born on Sept. 1, 1889 (James) Guy. The following spring they moved to the Beaver Rapids district where Thomas Littleton was born (Nov. 10, 1890), with Mrs. McKenzie as mid-wife. Thomas Jr. was killed in France, Mar. 17, 1917. Elleanor Ann Goodrich was born Sept. 21, 1892 and died at the farm home, April 21, 1896. She is buried in the Beaver Rapids Cemetery. John Edgar was born April 1, 1894 at the farm home. Gertrude Jane was born Jan. 12, 1896. Robert Tresham Selby was born Aug. 30, 1897.
Tom and Martha farmed the S1/2 14-6-29 and ran the Post Office and Stopping House at Beaver Creek Crossing for people travelling from Moosomin to Birtle. Martha and a baby girl died in 1899 and are buried in the Beaver Rapids Cemetery. Tom planted the first two fir trees at the Cemetery that year by his wife’s grave and carried water from the creek to keep them growing. One still stands today, very weathered but still growing. Tom worked as weed inspector for a number of years in Ellice.
He liked a good horse and always drove a good steeper. In 1913, he married Sara (Thompson) Revell. Sara had two sons by her first marriage, Robert and Walter Revell. Sara was mid-wife for may expectant mothers in the area, working with Dr. Munroe. In 1928, Sara passed away and is buried in McAuley Cemetery. Tom moved to St. Lazare in 1929. He spent a good deal of time helping Mr. David A. Smart of Ninette, Man. Collect information of the early forts and trails used by the fur traders and early travellers of the area.
In 1935 he became sick and stayed at the O’Keefe home where Grace looked after him until his death, June 6, 1936. His funeral service was held in the Beaver Rapids Cemetery beside his wife Martha.
